On Monday, I revealed the top 10 head coaches in college football right now. Who are the candidates most likely to replace Mack Brown? Here are the top 5 (in no particular order):
Mike Gundy (Oklahoma State)
Reasoning: Gundy has complied an impressive 77-37 record at Oklahoma State, and knows Big 12 (with 10 teams) territory. He is a fiery coach who is definitely a man, and typically has really good offenses.
Arguments against: Gundy played at Oklahoma State, and has a nice booster (T. Boone Pickens) in his back pocket. Meaning, whatever Texas would pay Gundy, Pickens could probably match, if he really liked Gundy. However, Gundy, reportedly was interested in the Tennessee job last year; so, it seems he would possibly leave his alma mater, but who knows if he would do so for Texas. In addition, Gundy has had trouble beating Bob Stoops at Oklahoma. Not sure how the folks in Austin would feel about that.
Jon Gruden (MNF)
Reasoning: While it's more likely that Gruden would return to the NFL if he were to head coach again, apparently, he's open to discussing the Texas position. Gruden's temperament would probably go well with a younger crowd, and I could see him being a very successful coach at Texas.
Arguments against: He seems to love his analyst position with ESPN, and I ultimately think Gruden would prefer to come back to the NFL. However, if you're going to become a college head coach, Texas sure is a nice place to start.
Art Briles (Baylor)
Reasoning: Briles knows Texas football. Prior to becoming a head coach at Baylor, Briles spent 16 seasons as a high school coach in Texas. Considering that Texas already has players equipped to run a spread offense, Briles's schemes would fit in nicely with the Texas program.
Arguments against: Briles just agreed to a 10-year extension at Baylor. While he knows Texas football, maybe a former high school coach does not want the glitz, glamour, and pressure at a major powerhouse institution, when he can win at Baylor.
Bill O'Brien (Penn State)
Reasoning: Has more of a traditional demeanor, much like Mack Brown. O'Brien has done a wonderful job of handling the Penn State situation, and would steer Texas clear of any trouble.
Arguments against: If he left Penn State, he would owe them $13 million. That is an absolutely huge buyout. In addition, not sure if O'Brien is the type to bolt from Penn State this early. I could see the NFL in the near future, but I don't know about another college program.
James Franklin (Vanderbilt)
Reasoning: Franklin is 23-15 at Vanderbilt and is taking the 'Dores to their 3rd straight bowl appearance. Further, Franklin knocked off Florida and Georgia this year, and has recruited some pretty solid talent.
Arguments against: It is always hard to tell with a coach at a program like Vanderbilt. Take David Cutcliffe (Duke) for example. He has turned Duke around and made them into a true conference contender in the ACC. However, Cutcliffe never really turned Ole Miss into a national powerhouse when he was head coach. The point: Is James Franklin, like Cutcliffe, the kind of coach who turns "hard to win at schools" into conference contenders, or he is the type of coach who can turn teams into national title contenders? It is hard to say at this point, and Texas may not want to gamble.
OTHER NAMES: Mark Dantonio (Michigan State), Charlie Strong (Louisville), Kirby Smart (DC, Alabama)
HAD IT BEEN LAST YEAR: Will Muschamp (Florida)
No comments:
Post a Comment